Governors Ball Elevates Music Fest Fare

by Maria Yagoda

All is tranquil on Randall’s Island before the madness.

          While I’m thrilled that the country’s major music festivals -- Coachella, Bonaroo, South-by-Southwest -- have begun paying more attention to their food stands, offering vendors that rival the superstar performers, this has added a new level of anxiety to the experience of attending a mobbed music fest. What shall I have for lunch? Dessert? Snack time? There are only so many occasions to eat, and each of those occasions demands waiting in a long line of irritable people.

          If you managed to get a ticket to this year’s sold-out Governors Ball, it’s possible you’ll spend more time deliberating what to eat for lunch (and dinner) than what bands to see perform. Luckily, there are a few stand-out vendors that should make your deliberation process easier. (Pok Pok NY and Hill Country Barbecue’s stands are VIP-only, so you can quickly eliminate those from the running, unless you are among the chosen few.)

          Mile End, New York’s Montreal-inspired Jewish deli titan, seemed an obvious place to start my munching. I order the Reuben, crammed with their signature corned beef, molten Swiss, and sauerkraut in between two slices of fluffy pumpernickel. (53 Bond Street)

          Porchetta, Sara Jenkins’ East Village Italian sandwich joint, is irresistible, too -- their namesake sandwich, the porchetta roll owes its excellence to the wonder that is slow-roasted porchetta, and includes bits of belly, crisp skin, loin, and lots of seasoning. (110 East 7^th Street)

 
Crif Dog’s menu assures you “not to be scared” of bacon-wrapped Chihuahua dog.

          For more traditional “fest fare,” Crif Dog’s inventive hot dogs do the trick, especially the Chihuahua, a bacon-wrapped dog topped with sour cream and avocado.(113 St. Marks Place). Jalapeno Corndog Concession’s plump and crusty corndog is precisely the kind of eclectic carnival food that was built for a trendy festival like this. Another unsophisticated, deep-fried delight is The Nugget Spot’s seasoned “Southern Belle” chicken nuggets, served with wonderfully smoky BBQ sauce. (230 East 14^th Street).

Crispy, fried-on-the-spot nuggets are absurdly addictive.

          Throughout any festival, it’s essential to hydrate, wear sunscreen, and eat as many cold, sweet things as possible. If you’re feeling overheated and overwhelmed, head immediately to Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches, the built-to-order ice cream sandwich truck that made its debut at Coachella Music Festival in 2009. Choose a cookie -- I recommend the “Peanut Butter Cap’N Crunch” -- and an ice cream filling. Daring eaters should order the salty-sweet Fried Chicken and Waffles ice cream.

          Brooklyn Soda Work’s eclectic sodas, adored by summer strollers on the Highline in Chelsea, are refreshing and supremely interesting -- the lemongrass and lime packs a nice bitter punch.